2025 Theme is Healing Through Color
Youth Art Month is a celebration of the visual arts!
Youth Art Month encourages support for quality school art programs and promotes art material safety. The Council for Art Education (CFAE) administers the program at the national level. The program provides a medium for recognizing skills developed through visual arts experiences unlike any other curriculum subjects, including:
• Problem solving
• Creativity
• Observation
• Communication
Art shows, special exhibits, fundraisers, and school and community activities take place annually, traditionally during March, to celebrate visual art education for grades K – 12.
Visit the CFAE website for Youth Art Month information, timelines, guidelines, annual theme, and templates for help managing or starting your program. For specific details about the CAEA YAM programs, scroll down this page to each Area’s section.
Overview
Started in 1961 through The Art & Creative Materials Institute, Inc. (ACMI), Youth Art Month exists to:
1. Recognize art education as a viable factor in the total education curricular that develops citizens of a global society.
2. Recognize art is a necessity for the full development of better quality of life for all.
3. Direct attention to the value of art education for divergent and critical thinking.
4. Expand art programs in schools and stimulate new art programs.
5. Encourage commitment to the arts by students, community organizations, and individuals everywhere.
6. Provide additional opportunities for individuals of all ages to participate in creative art learning.
7. Increase community, business and governmental support for art education.
8. Increase community understanding and interest in art and art education through involvement in art exhibits, workshops, and other creative ventures.
9. Reflect and demonstrate the goals of the National Art Education Association that work toward the improvement of art education at all levels.
Flag & Banner Program
The Council for Art Education’s signature event is the annual state flag design contest. Winning state designs are made into flags and displayed in the CFAE YAM Showcase at the National Art Education Association Convention (NAEA).
Please visit the CAEA YAM Flag and Banner Program webpage for details
Artwork and Exhibits Program
Students participate in local, regional, and state art exhibitions prior to and during Youth Art Month. Winning artwork pieces from CAEA regional exhibits are displayed at the annual NAEA convention in the Youth Art Month Museum.
Click here for ideas on Youth Art Month calendars, exhibits, and events.
Click here for YAM program press release suggestions.
Please visit the YAM CAEA YAM How to Participate webpage to learn how to participate in the California local, regional, and state YAM exhibits.